Prize Suspending Device of Crane Game

ABSTRACT

A prize suspending device of a crane game includes a seat including a channel and an opening at a first end of the channel; a crossbar pivotably secured to the seat, the crossbar including a recess; and a trigger pivotably disposed in the seat, the trigger including a hook complimentarily engaging the recess. The crossbar is configured to block the opening in an inoperative position or unblock the opening in response to a force exerted upon a top end of the trigger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to coin operated games and more particularly to a prize suspending device of a crane game having improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional coin operated crane game comprises an electronic control system and a mechanical system that allows a player to purchase a chance to win a prize by skillful manipulation of player controls. The controls consist of a joystick and/or buttons, which are activated by the insertion of coins or cash into the crane game. These controls allow the player to move a crane head in front/back and left/right positions and then drop a claw which will pick up a prize if skillfully and properly manipulated. When the claw drops to the bottom of its travel, the control electronics closes the claw, raises the claw, positions it over a prize delivery shoot and releases the prize if it is held by the claw. Motors are used to move the crane head and to move the claw up and down. The claw is activated by a solenoid.

However, the conventional crane game has a couple of drawbacks as detailed below. First, the claw is controlled by a solenoid. The game owner may program to stop supplying electricity to the solenoid while the crane head is moving without being noticed by the player. As a result, the claw releases the pick up prize prior to reaching an outlet chute. In short, the player is deceived by the game owner. Second, the solenoid is of small power. Thus, the winning of a heavy or expensive prize would be difficult.

There is push-type crane game commercially available. However, additional suspending and release device is required and it does not enjoy success in the market. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a prize suspending device of a crane game comprising a seat including a channel and an opening at a first end of the channel; a crossbar pivotably secured to the seat, the crossbar including a recess; and a trigger pivotably disposed in the seat, the trigger including a hook complimentarily engaging the recess; wherein the crossbar is configured to block the opening in an inoperative position or unblock the opening in an operative position.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crane game according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prize suspending device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the prize suspending device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation in part section of the prize suspending device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing an operation of the prize suspending device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a crane game 1 in accordance with the invention comprises a housing 11 having a base 111, a space 13 in an upper portion of the housing 11, a rotatable platform 12 in the space 13, and an outlet chute 14 communicating the space 13 with the external of the housing 11.

The crane game 1 further comprises a coin operated manipulation device 2, a crane 3, a pushing device 4 operatively connected to the crane 3, and a prize suspending device 5.

The disc shaped platform 12 is above the outlet chute 14 and includes a plurality of through holes 121. The prize suspending device 5 is disposed at the through hole 121 and includes a seat 51 having a first lock part 511 and a second lock part 512 threadedly secured together, a crossbar 52 pivotably secured to the second lock part 512 and having a recess 521, a trigger 53 having an intermediate portion pivotably secured to the seat 51, the trigger 53 having an inclined, disc shaped board 531 at one end, the board 531 being disposed in the through hole 121, and a hook 532 at the other end, a helical spring S having one end anchored at an intermediate portion of the trigger 53 and the other end anchored at the second lock part 512, a channel 54 formed between the first lock part 511 and the second lock part 512 with the trigger 53 passing through, the channel 54 having a first portion 541 and a second portion 542, and an opening 55 communicating with the crossbar 52, the opening 55 having a first portion 551 and a second portion 552.

In an inoperative position, the hook 532 complimentarily engages the recess 521 due to the compression of the spring S. Also, a rope 6 has one end put on the crossbar 52. A prize (not shown) is disposed at the other end of the rope 6.

Operation of the invention is described in detailed below. A player may operate the manipulation device 2 to activate the pushing device 4 which in turn moves the crane 3 to a position above a desired through hole 121. Next, the player may lower the pushing device 4 to cause a downward extending push rod 41 of the pushing device 4 to press the board 531. The trigger 53 thus pivots counterclockwise to expand the spring S and disengage the recess 521 from the hook 532 (see FIG. 5). And in turn, the crossbar 52 pivots clockwise to disengage from the rope 6 and unblock the opening 55. As a result, the rope 6 and the prize drops into the outlet chute 14 to be ready to pick up by the player.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A prize suspending device of a crane game comprising: a seat including a channel and an opening at a first end of the channel; a crossbar pivotably secured to the seat, the crossbar including a recess; and a trigger pivotably disposed in the seat, the trigger including a hook complimentarily engaging the recess; wherein the crossbar is configured to block the opening in an inoperative position or unblock the opening in an operative position.
 2. The prize suspending device of claim 1, wherein the seat further includes a first lock part and a second lock part, the channel formed between the first lock part and the second lock part, the channel having a first portion and a second portion, and the opening including a first portion and a second portion.
 3. The prize suspending device of claim 2, wherein the seat further includes an inclined, disc shaped board at a first end.
 4. The prize suspending device of claim 1, wherein the seat is secured to a bottom of one of a plurality of through holes of a rotatable platform.
 5. The prize suspending device of claim 2, wherein the seat is secured to a bottom of one of a plurality of through holes of a rotatable platform.
 6. The prize suspending device of claim 3, wherein the seat is secured to a bottom of one of a plurality of through holes of a rotatable platform.
 7. The prize suspending device of claim 4, further comprising a biasing member having a first end anchored at an intermediate portion of the trigger and a second end anchored at the seat.
 8. The prize suspending device of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member having a first end anchored at an intermediate portion of the trigger and a second end anchored at the seat.
 9. The prize suspending device of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member having a first end anchored at an intermediate portion of the trigger and a second end anchored at the seat.
 10. The prize suspending device of claim 3, further comprising a biasing member having a first end anchored at an intermediate portion of the trigger and a second end anchored at the seat. 